This free course integrates the repertoire of the UK exam boards (ABRSM, Trinity and Suzuki method) into the method of the world famous Franco-Belgian violin school.
I am using selected exercises and pieces from the violin methods by Charles de Beriot and Nicolas Laoureux. Both methods have their unique strengths and by combining them I can select the best exercises to support your progress.
With a strong musical and technical foundation learning new repertoire, be it for fun or for your national exams, will become much more enjoyable and rewarding
I wish you all the best of luck!
Mark Pedus
Â
OVERVIEW
CHAPTER 1: STRAIGHT BOWING EXERCISES
This chapter contains 9 progressive playlist to practice straight bowing, string changes and basic rhythms. It finishes with slurring across strings and double stopping.
Before you begin
Basics of bow hold
Exercise 1: Introduction exercises on Straight Bowing
Exercise 2: Smooth Bow Changes
Exercise 3: The Quarter note
Exercise 4: The 1/8th note
Exercise 5: The 1/8th note and complex string crossings
Exercise 6:Â The Legato
Exercise 7:Â Double Stopping
CHAPTER 2: INTRODUCING BASIC FINGER PATTERNS
Here I offer 6 playlists where I slowly introduce each of the basic finger patterns one note at a time. The last finger pattern comes with two different versions. One starting with a low first finger and one with the normal first finger.
Â
Preparatory exercises
Introducing the First Finger Pattern
Introducing the Second Finger Pattern
Introducing the Third Finger Pattern
Introducing the Fourth Finger Pattern
CHAPTER 3: SCALES IN FIRST POSITION
Charles de Beriot wrote 18 duets for student and teacher to help his students with their scales. He limited himself to the most common Major and Melodic Minor scales up to 4 sharps and 4 flats.
The duo parts make it easier to improve intonation and it develops musicianship at the same time in a more relaxed way. Now scales are no longer so boring!
CHAPTER 4: THE INTERVALS
Â
Until now all exercises went step-wise up or down. All you had to worry about was if the distance is a tone or a semi tone.
Here I present 8 progressive playlists that will teach you how to play larger intervals. Two little pieces by Nicolas Laoureux have been included to see how your new skills allow you to make beautiful music.
Once you master this chapter, you are well prepared to finally begin your first real pieces! Enjoy!
THE THIRDS: Exercising Thirds across all four finger patterns
THE THIRDS: Exercising Thirds with String Crossings
Intervals in Practice – Dance by N. Laoureux
THE FOURTHS: Exercise on placing Fourths
Intervals in Practice – N. Laoureux
THE FIFTHS: Exercise on Diminished Fifths
THE FIFTHS & SIXTHS Introducing the sixths and exercise on placing fifths
THE SEVENTHS & OCTAVES Introducing the 7ths, Octaves and Arpeggios
PIECES IN FIRST POSITION
Â
Here you will find the list of repertoire in first position. Each piece will link to an individual page that will offer the playlist for the piece and a few essential supporting foundation exercises.
I have grouped the repertoire by method so it is easier to navigate.
Chapter 3: Scales – finally completed!
Scales are the secret to fast progress. Their relative simplicity allow you to focus on everything that matters: INTONATION SOUND QUALITY RELAXATION POSTURE But scales have a bad reputation for […]
C Major Scale Duets by Charles de Beriot edited for the viola
I finally got there. I just added the first scales to my practice manual! I gave the honour to the viola, because, why not. Starting to learn the viola about […]
Second chapter: Finger Patterns for Violin and Viola
As I mentioned yesterday, I have plenty of videos waiting to be connected to my website. I didn’t quite realise how far I had fallen behind on actually uploading my […]
Your consent is required to display this content from vimeo - Privacy Settings